Naomi Osaka is back on the tennis scene, showcasing her determination as she battles injuries and personal challenges. Competing at the Miami Open, she secured a hard-fought victory against Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, winning the first-round match 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on March 18, 2025. This win marks a significant moment for Osaka, who has faced a stop-start comeback after taking time off for maternity leave and battling injuries.
Earlier in the year, Osaka demonstrated her competitive spirit by reaching the final of the Auckland Open, but her journey was cut short when she had to retire during the match against Clara Tauson due to an abdominal issue. The former world No.1 has also faced disappointing defeats this season, including a retirement at the Australian Open when trailing against Belinda Bencic, and a first-round exit at the Indian Wells Open inflicted by Camila Osorio, a player who’d never secured a main-draw win at that tournament before.
After what she described as “the worst match I’ve ever played,” Osaka was eager to turn the tide in Miami, stating, “I want to play with the big dogs so bad and I just see everyone playing so well, and I want to do the same.” This sentiment reflects her drive to compete against top-tier players, something she is keen on achieving as she continues her return from difficult experiences.
The Miami Open has a special significance for Osaka, who considers it her home turf. In her first-round match against Starodubtseva, Osaka showcased her resilience, overcoming a difficult opening set, where she found herself down 5-0. However, she managed to rally back, claiming victory after two hours and 28 minutes of intense play.
“I knew that I wasn't playing too well, but I thought, ‘let me try to stay on the court as long as possible,’” she said on the court. “I was going to run into every corner if I had to, and we were going to have to play for three hours if she was going to beat me.” After her hard-earned victory, Osaka is set to clash with the 24th seed, Liudmila Samsonova, in the next round of the tournament, with hopes of continuing her momentum.
Osaka’s journey has been paralleled by other players returning from personal challenges. For instance, Nick Kyrgios, another prominent name in the tennis world, experienced a similar narrative, having recently marked his return with a win at the Miami Open after a long absence due to recurring injuries. He edged out Mackenzie McDonald with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and is set to compete against Karen Khachanov in the next round.
In addition to Osaka's victory, the Miami Open has seen several noteworthy results this week, including Miomir Kecmanovic’s win over Aleksandar Kovacevic, marking his second-round berth against Casper Ruud. Emerging talents like Peyton Stearns have also made headlines, defeating Katie Boulter with a score of 6-4, 6-2 to secure a second-round meeting with Elise Mertens. Meanwhile, teenage wildcard Alexandra Eala stunned American Katie Volynets, winning 6-3, 7-6 in what was a thrilling match.
Other results from the Miami Open on March 18 include victories for McCartney Kessler against Marie Bouzkova, and Gael Monfils, who defeated Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Emma Raducanu delivered an impressive performance, beating Sayaka Ishii 6-2, 6-1, while David Goffin edged past Aleksandar Vukic in a comeback victory of 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. Veronika Kudermetova advanced smoothly, defeating Wang Xinyu, 6-2, 7-6, positioning herself to face Mirra Andreeva next.
As the competition heats up in Miami, Osaka and other players will surely look to disrupt the status quo and reclaim their positions among the sport's elite. With momentum on her side following her return to winning ways, Osaka’s next match will be closely watched, as fans remain hopeful for her resurgence.
